Page 19 of Throne of Sin

When I wake up next, a cold object is running over my skin. I sit up, placing my hand out to strangle my mother. My fingers grip her neck.

“It’s me, Dante! Demi.”

My grip releases automatically and I fall back down with a groan.

“I got you. You sleep and I’ll protect you.”

I roll to my knees, using the toilet as a stool to help me stand. When my back is turned, I slip the ring out of my mouth and into my pocket. Demi places her small frame under my arm as I limp toward my bed.

She places a cold compress on my forehead, making it feel better than it should. I pull my handgun out from under my pillow. “If she comes back, shoot the bitch, and I’ll say I did it.”

Demi doesn’t say anything while she continues to clean me up. I guess she knows where I got my scarsnow.

“How many people know about this two-way mirror?” My head tilts back at the surprise in Demi’s voice, it brings me back to the present.

It’s another reminder we’re not the same people we used to be. She’s staring at me expectantly.Yes, the two-way mirror room and who knows about it.

“It’s normal protocol and everyone knows about it. In fact, many take it as an honor to be in that room.”

“Okay then, thank you.” She slips her shoes back on but her whole face scrunches up like it hurts worse than it did before.

I lean to the side and toss a pair of sandals at her. “Wear these.”

When I’m trying to be more casual, I wear them myself, but that never happens. Her feet are swallowed by the large leather thongs. It’s almost comical. “The other option is I carry you out of here. In front of everyone.”

She laughs and it does something strange to my heart. “No, I don’t need the girls talking about me more than they already do.”

My fists curl into themselves. I’ll have Sienna deal with this problem. “Let’s go home.” I stand and walk out of the room. It takes everything in me not to pick her up and throw her over my shoulder. She limps slightly with each step. The last of the girls are sitting at a table, counting their tips for the night. I give them a wave.

When the cool night air wraps itself around me, I pick up Demi, despite her demanding I put her down.

“I can’t have you limping at work tomorrow. It’s bad for business,” I grunt.

Her womanly scent swirls around me, still the same as all those years ago. I place her on the passenger seat and buckle her in myself.

Chapter 10

Demi

Thisisthefirstnight I’ve worked without Dante in the club. I can’t stop watching the entrance for his arrival.

“What has her so distracted tonight?” One of the other girls, Tanya, asks.

I turn and Robin answers. “She’s obviously watching for Dante. I tried to tell her he never goes for girls like us.”

“You both are wrong.” I roll my eyes, annoyed how they’re talking about me like I’m not here. It’s comical watching their eyebrows raise in question.

“I’m just saying, I’ve been here for five years. If Demi so much as thinks about trying to climb the corporate ladder via his cock, I’m going to have issues,” Tanya responds, glaring at me like I’m a cockroach that she would love to squish with her foot.

I grab my tray, happy to get away from them, and walk around the room to deliver the glasses to their owners. I can’t help but notice the other girls watching me out of the corners of their eyes. It unsettles me. I’ve been out-of-my-way nice to them, and still, I’m an outsider. If I’m going to fit in, I have to jump in with both feet and Dante can’t have me at his place anymore.

“I heard she’s still not allowed to do lap dances.” Tanya is talking to another girl, both of them staring at me while she speaks.

“I wonder what he would do if he found her banging a client.” They giggle as I set my empty tray down.

“I can do whatever the hell I want.” I practically spit at them. Turning to Sienna, I call out my next order.

“The most successful girls here fuck. It’s how I can afford my penthouse. Once your debt is paid, you don’t have to live in communal living anymore.” I thought they all lived together. “Don’t worry, one day you’ll have your training chastity panties removed.” Shelby smirks and her shoulder pushes against me as she walks away.

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